Call for participants: Art of Change Training Course in Oslo, Utøya Island, Norway

Utøya, where the 2011 terror attack occurred in Norway, has evolved into a center dedicated to remembrance, education, and community engagement. Now, a new chapter unfolds in this very special place in our hearts through this training course.

Art of Change focuses on personal growth, creative expression, advocacy, and long-lasting impact. Participants will explore the profound relationship between artistic expression and holistic well-being while gaining essential skills in filmmaking for awareness educational purposes, and will get to be introduced to Utøya and its story.

The training is for youth who are involved in youth work, art, human rights, youth organizations or other activities with young people promoting youth engagement in society and promoting mental health and wellbing through non-formal eduaction, art and theatre.

Training Objectives:

Explore Holistic Well-Being: Engage participants in a concentrated journey of self-discovery, emotional intelligence, and mindfulness to foster human connections, emphasizing the interconnectedness of mental health and well-being. Participants will start with a focus on personal well-being through self-awareness and mindfulness workshops, setting the stage for a transformative experience.

Human Rights Advocacy: Equip youth with the knowledge and tools to advocate for human rights, non-violent communication, and peaceful dialogue within their communities. The program's human rights education component will empower participants to become informed advocates.

Creative Expression: Provide a platform for participants to harness various art forms, such as art therapy, vocal meditation, filmmaking, creative writing, contemporary dance, journaling, music, and theater, to express themselves and raise awareness about mental health and human rights. Artistic expression is woven throughout the program, allowing participants to discover their creative voices.

Filmmaking Skills: Develop participants' skills in filmmaking, enabling them to create impactful films that serve as educational tools to promote mental health and human rights awareness. The filmmaking training will culminate in a final project showcasing the intersection of art and advocacy.

Identity and Connection: Encourage self-awareness, identity exploration, and deeper connections among participants, fostering an environment for peaceful dialogues on human rights and non-violent communication. Through various creative activities, participants will build connections and explore their own identities.

Program Outcomes:

• Participants will gain a deep understanding of the relationship between holistic well-being, human rights, and non-violent communication through personal growth and advocacy training.
• They will develop skills in various art forms and filmmaking to create educational content that raises awareness about mental health and human rights, aligning with the program's focus on creative expression that will be used for educational purposes for youth and non formal education.
• Graduates will be prepared to engage in advocacy for mental health and human rights, fostering peaceful dialogues and advocating for non-violent communication practices through non-formal methods.
• The program will result in a network of youth advocates committed to promoting holistic well-being and human rights globally, connecting personal growth and creative expression with advocacy and social change.

The training will run for 5 days, (3 days training, and 2 days for arrival and departure), and will bring 20 youth from diverse backgrounds, who will be selected through an open call, and we will contact the selected participants soon after submitting their application. 

Participants will receive support, resources, and mentorship for 6 months from program facilitators to help them turn their ideas into impactful actions.

There will be 2 virtual calls organized before the training starts at Utøya. So please make sure you can commit to this. 

Certification upon successful completion of the program is provided.